As a Medical Oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) Outpatient Care Center in Gurnee, Dr. Rakhshanda Neelam feels fortunate to work in a supportive and compassionate environment in which integrative care is more than just a goal but a working philosophy. Located in Lake County, Illinois, our Gurnee facility offers patients in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin convenient outpatient access to medical oncology, hematology and infusion services.

When working with cancer patients, Dr. Neelam says: “We can’t just treat the diagnosis, we have to treat the person. Approaching care from a holistic perspective makes a difference in how the patient feels, which can have a positive effect on how they manage their disease.”

Dr. Neelam stays up to date on advances in cancer research and technology and is encouraged about the future of cancer care. “Major advancements in the treatment of people living with cancer are moving at an incredible pace,” says Dr. Neelam. “These advancements are taking place in every area of cancer care, including genetics and genomics, which empower me to provide the best possible outcomes.”

Board certified in medical oncology, Dr. Neelam earned her medical degree from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Pakistan. She then completed a residency in internal medicine at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the Chicago Medical School. Prior to joining CTCA®, Dr. Neelam held positions as an oncologist/hematologist at a number of hospitals.

Dr. Neelam’s calling to help others came with the support of her father, who encouraged her to practice medicine. As a doctor, she is able to serve others and help make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer.

A family-oriented mother, Dr. Neelam remains close to her grown son and daughter, who continue to emphasize the importance of family and communicating with one another, no matter where they are in the world. She also enjoys gardening and being outdoors.

Patient Ratings

Star ratings and comments are only available for medical, radiation and gynecologic oncologists. Gynecologic surgical offerings are not included at this time due to a different survey tool required to evaluate these services. CTCA uses a validated Press Ganey® survey, which captures patient experience feedback for the primary oncology services of chemotherapy and radiation therapy at our comprehensive care and research centers. Following industry best practice, star ratings and comments are only published for physicians with a minimum of 30 completed patient surveys.